Vulcanizer.



J. R. GAMMETER.

VULCANIZER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB, a, 191.

' 2 SHEETSSHEET I.

J. R GAMMETER.

\ ULCANIZER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 8.15MB.

Patented July 18,- 1916.

ZSHEETS-SHEET 2.

F i G: f2 23 v 55 Wozmu; I I

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN R. GAMMETER, OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE. B. F. GOODRICH COMPANY OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

VULCANIZER.

Continuation of application Serial No. 629,274, filed May 25, 1911. I Serial No. 76,884.

certain new and usefulImprovements in Vulcanizers, of which the following is a specification. v

TlllS invention relates to vulcanlzers designed primarily for curing articles of rubber by'surrounding the molds with a'heated fluid under pressure, such as steam. The invention 1s, for example, adapted to presses of the vertical type, in which a number of molds containing rubber tires or similar articles are retained and vulcanized at one operation. Presses ofthis nature as heretofore constructed have comprised a shell in which the molds are contained and subjected to the action of steam, this shell being closed at the top by a cover which may be removed to permit the charging anddischarging of the .press. For lifting the molds out" of the chamber or shell, or lowering them thereinto, a hydraulic ram or equivalent means is used, this ram being utilized also to clampthe molds against the cover, which is firmly locked to the top of the shell and forms anabutment.

In vulcanizers of this type, as well as others employing internal pressure against the cover or door, thelocking ofthe cover to the shell by. a small exertion of power but with sufficient tightness to prevent separation and consequent leakage has presented many difficulties which it is the object of the present invention to overcome. My

invention does away with the necessity for a tight clamping of the cover upon the shell by the use of a packing of such a nature and so disposed with relation to the interfitting parts as to seal the joint between these two parts whether one is tightly closed upon. the other or not. I

The invention also contemplates certain improvements in details of structure to be hereinafter pointed out.

This application is a continuation of my application Serial Number 629,274 for the same subject-matter, filed May 25, 1911 In the accompanying drawings', which form a part of this specification, Flgure 1 is a view partly in vertical section and partly in side elevation of a vulcamzeremQ bodying my invention, the parts being i Specification of Letters Patent.

. shown in position for charging and dis- Patented July 18, 1916.

This application filed February 8, 1916.

charging the same;.Fig. 2 1s a view partly in plan and partly in horizontal section, showing the cover in unlocked position and the plunger head operatively connected with the cover and mold-carrying frame; Fig. 3 ,is a view similar to Fig. 2,. the cover and mold-carrying frame being shown rotated in order to lock the former, and disengage the latter from the plunger head; Fig-. 4 is a view partly in vertical section and partly in elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1,' but taken at right angles to the position at between the same and the plunger head;

Fig. 6 is a detailed view illustrating a portion of the cover in locked engagement with the shell, showing the anti-friction'bearing for supporting the cover and-the means for sealing the 1 joint between the cover and shell: Fig. 7 is a detailed sectional view showing the improved packing for the ram. In these drawings I have illustrated but one specific form of my invention, but I do not wish to be limited to the exact structure therein shown, as this invention may be embodied in vulcanizers of various other forms, having the general type of door or cover locking means described, and employ- 1ng an internal, outwardly-acting pressure tendingto open the door-or cover.

' Referring to the drawings in detail, the '9 numeral ldesignates the shell or casing of the vulcanizer, which has riveted or otherwise suitably secured to its lower end a massive flanged ring 2 resting upon the base plate 3 which supports the vulcanizer. "The cylinder 4 of the 'hydraulic'ram is provided with a flange 5 which rests upon the flanged portion of the ring 2. A plunger 6 works in the cylinder at and is provided at its upper end with an enlarged head 7 which will be more fully described hereinafter. The upper end, of the shell 1 hassecured to it a ring'S having in its inner face a groove .which Fig. 1 is taken, the parts being in 9, the upper-wall of thegroove being rotated through a fraction of a revolution,

to engage beneath the lugs 11. A slight rotation of the cover thus serves to lock or unlock the same. The groove 9 is preferably somewhat wider than the thickness of the lugs l-l, so as to permit the latter to slide easily beneath the lugs 11 when the cover is rotated. To further facilitate the rotation of the cover. an anti-friction bearing for the latter is preferably provided. Such a bearing is illustrated in Fig. (i. As there shown, 1. form in the bottom 15 of the groove 9 a groove or ball race =10 in which are balls 41. The balls are retained in their race by a ring 42 upon which the lugs 11 rest when the cover is lowered into position. The cover when rotated carries with it the ring 42 which rolls freely upon the balls. The cover may be rotated by suitable means provided for that purpose, such as one or more gear segments 16 secured thereto engaged by pinions 1T journaled upon thering 8 secured to the shell. F or rotating the pinions the latter may be provided with upwardly projecting hubs 1S perforated at 19 for the reception of bars or other suitable means for turning the same. Depending from the cover 12 is a frame adapted to support the molds :20 during the charging and discharging of the press, this frame also being utilized to lift the cover. The frame preferably comprises four rods 21 provided with collars 22 which engage beneath the cover andnuts 23 screwed on the upper end of the rods and engaging the top of the cover. The lower ends of the rods are joined by a horizontal ring or frame 24. A pair of racks 25 are supported one between each pair of the rods 21, the upper ends of these racks being bolted to the cover and the lower ends to the ring 24. These racks are provided with one or more series of steps or shoulders 26 adapted to be engaged by portions of mold-carrying grids or travs 27, the trays being provided with eyes 2 .through which the rods 21 pass. The grids or trays are maintained in vertical alin'ement by these rods and are prevented from, dropping, each below a predetermined position, by means of suitable stops with which each is provided, adapted to engage corresponding pairs or shoulders on the racks :25. The grids or trays are, however, free to move upwardly towardthe cover 12 in order to permit the molds which are interposed between them to be subjected to compression by the ram (3 or to permit some of the grids to be brought into contact in case it is desired to operate the press at less than its full capacity. The construction and mode of operation of these racks and trays is fully illustrated and described in United States Letters Patent Number 758,863, granted May 3, 1901, to Edwin Coupland Shaw, and their operation need not be more fully set forth herein. This structure, while advantageously used with my invention, is not an essential part thereof and may in some cases be dispensed with.

In order that the ram may be free at proper times to compress the molds between the plunger head and the cover, and at other times to remove the cover and lift the molds from the vulcanizing chamber, means are provided for separably connecting the plunger head with the cover and mold-carrying frame. The construction I use for this purpose is preferably as follows: The plunger head 7 has projecting from it, preferably at diametrically opposite points, a pair of slotted lugs or books 29, the plunger head being prevented from rotation by means of vertical guide bars 30 secured to the inner surface of the shell 1 between which the ends of the lugs or hooks 29 slide. Any other suitable means may be used for this purpose if desired. Collars b1 are provided near the lower ends of two of the rods 21, beneath which the lugs or hooks 29 engage when the cover and rods depending therefrom are rotated. The lugs or hooks are so located that when the cover is rotated so that its locking lugs ll are disengaged from the lug 11 and are free to be lifted through the notches or slots 10. the rods 21 will be moved into the openings or slots in the books or lugs 29 and the collars 31 will rest upon these books or lugs. The movement of the cover to unlock the same therefore automatically causes the cover and mold-carrying frame to be engaged with the plunger head. This is the position of the parts shown in, Figs. 2 and 4. As will be obvious, the plunger may now be raised, carrying with it the rods 21. cover 12, racks 25, grids or trays 27, each supported by its proper set of shoulders thereon, and the molds 2O resting thereon, as'shown in Fig. 1. The molds may then be .removed laterally, one at a time, as they are brought up to a level with the loading and unloading table 32. When the molds have been discharged new ones may be placed upon the trays or grids in a similar manner, afterwliich the plunger may be lowered until the parts are again in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4,

e the-n lowered-and again connected to the frame, as above described, in order'that it i when the cover is rotated to the position shown in Fig. 3. This action locks the cover in place, and also moves the depending frame so that it is disengadedfrom the plunger-head, as indicated in the left-hand side of Fig. 3. Theplunger head is now free to be forced upwardly between the bars 21 and racks 25 and caused to compress the several molds against the underside of the cover, as indicated in Fig. 5. While in this position steam is forced into the vulcanizing chamber through a pipe 62 and the vulcanizing. operation is performed. After the steam is discharged through a suitable pipe;

connected with the outlet 63, the plunger is may be utilized to'discharge the molds from the press. "A slight amount of play of the,

cover longitudinally of the vulcanizer when locked is desirable in order to permit it to be easily locked and unlocked, and this end of both).

play is taken up by the internal pressure (of the ram in this instance, or of the steam if its pressure issuflicient to lift the cover, or

The forcing. of the cover outwardly against its stops has heretofore often been the cause of leakage of steam, particularly when the packingis mounted between the transverse joint shoulders, so as to face longitudinally. f

Inorder to seal the joint between the cover and the top of the shell and thus prevent the escape of the steam used toefi'ect thevulcanizing operation, I provide packing means, preferably of an expansible nature and so mounted as to be capable of closing the joint between the cover and shell and maintaining the same closed, even is'mounte'd. The operation of this packing is automatic.

though' the cover is moved slightly relatively to the shell when the -molds are forced against it by the pressure of the hydraulic tram. Such means in the preferred embodi ment of my invention comprises a laterallyfacing packing ring 43 of peculiar construc tion mounted in a groove in the ring 8 at the top of the shell. This packing ring is made of rubber or other flexible material and is provided with a. downwardly projecting lip 44 adapted to be laterally expanded (inwardly in this case) against a portion of the cover, such as the depending .apron 45 thereof, which as hereshown .iscylindrical and projects within a concentric cylindrical portion of the r It does not interfere with the lowering ofthe cover into position or with the rotation thereof, but when steam is admitted to thevulcanizing chamber it enters the space 46 under the lip 44 and expands the latter into close engagement withthe apron, effectually sealing the joint. It will be seen that when the molds are forced against the underside of the cover, although ing 8, in which the packing continual compression due to the weight of the cover and the compression of'the cover upon its seat, or to possible damage by the seating of the cover.' This improvement, however, is not wholly limited to interfitting joint members of cylindrical form, nor to the mounting of the packing on the outer or stationary member, nor is it confined to vertical vulcanizers, or those using a ram which exerts pressure against the cover or door.

, In the drawings, and particularly in Fig. 7, I have illustrated an improved packing for the hydraulic rain. The top of the cyl-.. inder 4 is'provided with a recess in which is'fitted a packing ring 50 of flexible material, a collar 51 being bolted to the cylinder to secure this packing ring in position. Back of the packing ring is a recess 52, into which open one or more ducts" 53 leading from an open recess 54 cut in the cylinder below the packing ring. .The fiuid-underpressure in the cylinder enters the recess 54 and passes through the duct or ducts 53 intothe recess 52, where it acts upon the packing ring to force the same into engagement with the plunger. I,prefer to, make this packing ring of a number of layers of fabric 55, the fabric being preferably duck or muslin cut on the bias. The layers of fabric are frictioned, that is, thinly coated with rubber in order to. hold them together, but are not impregnated with rubber to'an extent sufficient to make them non-absorbent. A collar 51 is provided with a portion 56 adapted to engage with, the packing 50, with a flange adapted to be bolted tothe cylinder in' any and water is admitted into it, the water will enter the recess 54 and --pass through the ducts into the recess 52, as above described, when it will first force the packing 50 into close engagement with the plunger, after which it will gradually soak into the fabric, forming the packing and cause the same to swell up and fit its seat'tightly. The packing 60 prevents the leakage of fluid back of the main packing. The lower wall of the seat for the pa'cking50 is preferably beveled as indicated at 61. in order to provide a space into which the packing may expand as it absorbs the fluid and swellsup.

A very effectual packing is thus obtained, and onethat is exceedingly durable. It is particularly suitable for use in a vulcanizing press as it is not injured by heat and may be located within the steam chamber of the vulvaniaer, as shown, nor'is it injured by the water used to operate the ram. It has heretofore been found necessary in vulcanizing presses of this character to provide two packings, one, the main water packing, located in the ram cylinder outside of the steam chamber, and the other, an auxiliary steam packing, located within the chamber to prevent the leakage of steam to the Water packing and consequent injury thereto. As will be apparent, with my improved packing this is entirely unnecessary. I do not wish to be understood, however, as limiting myself to the use of my improved packing only in connection with vulcanizing presses, for, although it is particularly adapted for sucluuse, it possesses many advantages when utilized in other forms of apparatus.

In Fig. 4 1 have shown a typical mold in section containing a casing or shoe for a pneumatic tire. The mold illustrated comprises a pair of mold parts 33 suitably shaped to receive the tire casing, a ring or core 3% being utilized to support the interior of the casing. As will be obvious, however, the press may be used with molds of other kinds adapted for the vulcanization of other articles than tires.

I claim:

1. In avulcanizer, the combination of a vulcanizer body having an open end, a cover for closing said end, interlocking means upon said body and cover adapted to be operated by the relative rotation of the two, means for exerting pressure within the vulcanizer tending to open the cover, and annular joint forn'ring members on said body and cover respectively, extending one within the other, one of said members hav ing a laterally-acting expansible packing ring engaging the complemental j-oint'forming member, whereby a limited outward movement of the cover is permitted without causing leakage.

2. In a vulcanizing press, in combination, a vulcanizer body having one open end and means for the admission of a vulcanizing fiuid thereto, interlocking means at the open end of said body, a cover provided with interlocking means adapted to be interlocked with the interlocking means on said body, the engagement of said interlocking means being loose so as to permit free engagement and disengagement thereof, a ram cylinder at the opposite end of said body, a ram for clamping 'molds against said cover, and a flexible parking ring for closing the joint between saidcover and said body, said ring being mounted in a groove in the inside of said body and engaging a cylindrical side surface of said cover, whereby a limited lifting of said cover by-the action of said rain is permitted without causing leakage.

3. In a vulcanizing press, in combination, a vulcanizer body having one open end and means for the admission of a vulcanizing fluid thereto, interlocking means at the open end of said body, a cover arranged to be detachably interlocked with said body, a ram cylinder at the opposite end of said body, a ram for clamping molds against said cover, and means for sealing the joint between said cover and body comprising a packing ring of flexible material mounted in a groove in said body having a lip projecting away from the open end of said body and adapted to be pressed into engagement with a cylindrical side surface of said cover by the pressure of the vulca'nizing fluid contained in the body.

4. In a vulcanizing apparatus, a vulcanizer body having an open end, a cover for closing said end, interlocking means upon said body and cover adapted to be operated by the rotation of said cover upon said body, and anti-friction means carried by said body for supporting said cover.

In a vulcanizing press, in combination, a vulcanizer body having an annular groove formed inside of the same near one end thereof, the upper wall of said groove being notched, a cover for closing the end of said body having lugs projecting therefrom adapted to pass through the notches, and'to engage with portions of the upper wall of said groove, said cover being rotatable to bring the lugs thereon into alinement with the said notches or with the portions of the upper wall of said groove between said notches, and anti-friction means for supporting said cover comprising balls mounted in a recess in the lower wall of said groove,

and a retaining ring supported upon said balls.

6, In a vulcanizing press, in combination, a vulcanizer body, a ram for exerting pressure upon articles within said body, said ram comprising a cylinder, and a plunger operating in said cylinde and a packing for said plunger, said packing comprising a ring of flexible material mounted in a seat at the'upper end of said cylinder, said cylinder having a recess at the back of said seat, a second recess below said seat, and a duct connecting said recesses, said cylinder also having a second seat above and outside of the'seat for the main packing ring, an auxiliary packing ring mounted on sald second seat, and a collar having portiqns en gaging said main and auxiliary packing rlngs.

7. In a vulcanizing press, in combination,

fis'aid clamping means is permitted Withoul;

clamping means'adepted to fcrce the molds 'againstsaid cover, and a flexible packing ring engaging the side surface of the inward-1y projecting pol tion of said cover whereby a limited lifting of the cover by vccasionhgleakage. v

8. In a vulcamzmgpress, m combmatlon, a vulcamzer body, a mm for exertmg pres- "sure upon articles within said body, said \D n'munted m a seat about said cylinder, szmii cylinder havin a recess at theback of said seat, a secon recess adjacent therete, and a duct comm/3b ing said recesses;

30H R. GAMMETER.

:16. a packingfor s comprlsmg ,a. 

